Embalming fluid



Patented May 4, 1943.

Louis mam Yonkers, N. x, to The D011 Chemical Company, Bosto Duration of ts in. Mesa, near- No Drawing. Application July 1, 193a,

I Serial No. 216,981

.l'lclalms.

This invention relates to embal-ming fluids.

In the art of embalming human bodies, it is the usual practice to remove the blood and other fluids from the vascular system and to inject therein an embalming fluid which is, in general, disinfectant. deodorant, preservative, and also capable of solidifying or firming the body tissues. To this end, solutions of formaldehyde have been conventionally employed for many years, eflectually and satisfactorily. But in the use of these solutions the operators have encountered many inconveniences and much discomfort, if not sufi'ering and danger to their health, from-the physiological properties of the formaldehyde. It is poisonous, irritating to the skin and even more so to the mucous membranes, and of an obnoxious and very penetrating, characteristic odor. This makes it difllcult to use in homes as well as funeral establishments. Efforts have been made to disguise or mask the odor, but quite'unsuccessfully. It has also been attempted to provide some other reagent or reagents which would serve these purposes and avoid the disadvantage of formaldehyde, but without appreciable'success.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an embalming fluid, which shall be- :free from the disadvantageous and dangerous properties of formaldehyde and which shall be as eifective as'formaldehyde solutions, for this purpose. Other objects will appear from the following disclosure.

In the embalming procedure, the embalming fluid is introduced either arterially into the circulatory system, and hence directly into the vascular tissues of the body, or into the natural body cavities such as the thoracic and abdominal cavities, where it must first penetrate the natural membrane linings before coming into contact with the tissues and fluids of the sur rounding structure. Separate embalming fluids accordingly are employed in these two operations and they are distinguished as arterial and cavity fluids, respectively.

It is now found, in accordance with the present invention, that embalming fluids may be made of aqueous solutions which are characterized by containing a water-soluble reagent which is capable of subsequently reacting to form or liberate formic acid and/or formaldehyde when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body. A typical class of compounds which are found capable of so reacting is represented by the'organic esters of formic acid-especially with the alkyl radicals of the lower members of the aliphatic inhibit further penetration of the reagent. In

" solved in IOO-grams alcohols, such as-methyl, ethyl, propyl and butyl formates. These esters are relatively freely soluble in water. weight of the alkyl radical the degree of solubility of the formate falls off and the viscosity of solutions of comparable concentrations increases. The methyl ester istherefore to be preferred, although the others may be used and the increased viscosity may be offset, when necessary, by the addition of small quantities of alcohol or like compatible solvent.

Such solutions of the formate esters are relatively stable and hence do not present the physiological difiiculties .of formaldehyde solutions. They do not irritate the skin nor the mucous membranes, nor do they present the objectionable odors of formaldehyde solutions. Nevertheless, in contact with-the body cells and tissues they are as effective as free formaldehyde in preserving and firming the body structure. They are also disinfectant, deodorant and preservative in their-action upon the tissues and cellular matter, and also upon the body fluids.

The firming action of formaldehyde is attributable in part at least to its reaction with the proteins, with which it combines and also apparently promotes polymerization ofthe protein molecule or nucleus. It is extremely rapid in such action and when brought into contact with these proteins in .cellular or fibrous structures, the products of reaction may form so rapidly as to this way, the reaction may be confined substantially to those areas adjacent to the points of initial contact or infusion, when free formaldehyde solutions are employed. It is, therefore, advantageous to promote the penetration of. the reagent and to'retard the firming action to be modification in the action of embalming fluids is provided by the compositions'of the present invention. This is true with both arterial and cavityfiuids.

The alkyl formates, when dissolved in water and brought into contact with visceral tissue, hydrolyze in part formic acid. This reaction and the products formed are analogous to the products formed by the hydrolysis of formaldehyde alone in alkaline aqueous solution, as follows:

(1) 2HcHo+mo+Hcoon+cmorr (2) Jncooom+momcoon+crnon Since 30 parts of methyl formate may be disof water, and since methyl formate is infinitely soluble in ethyl alcohol. soluto liberate the alcohol andor butyl alcohols which promote initial vstability of the formate, and also the penetration and solubility of the composition.

To further stabilize during use and also to facilitate the penetrative action of the solution when introduced into contact with the vascular system generally, as well as to promote the subsequent reaction thereon, it is advantageous to use with the formaldehyde ester solution a suitable soluble acid amide, preferably of the lower aliphatic series, such as form-amide, acet-amide, propion-amide, butyramide. etc. These compounds appear to lower the viscosity of the fluid composition and also to retard the initial hydrolysis and reactivity of the formate ester, but subsequently to promote this reaction and the reaction on the tissues as evidenced by a decidedly effective and improved flrming action when the reaction is complete.

The acid amides also facilitate the incorporation of metallic salts of the polyvalent metals, when used, since they promote their solubility in water, probably by complex-ion formation, producing a solution which is resistant to separation or reactions to precipitate the reagents used out of solution. Accordingly, salts of active metals such as aluminum nitrate, stannic chloride. chloride, etc., may be added to these solutions without difficulty and in increased quantities. Such salts have a decided reactivity with protein material-probably of the metal with the acid radicals of the protein to form insoluble solid compounds in the nature of metallic salts.

Such reaction of the metals appears to be still further stimulated and promoted by the presence of the acid amides, which presumably react at the same time with the amino groups of the protein molecules. While the protein contents of the body are many and varied and therefore not susceptible of general conclusions as to their 4 chemical properties and reactivities-it seems to be consistent to infer that this embalming fluid has the effect of first penetrating, gradually hydrolying, and then combining with and polymerizing the protein matter of the body tissues whether introduced as a cavity fluid or as an arterial fluid, that the acid amide promotes these functions and also the combination with the amino radicals and polymerization of such groups, and that the metallic salts, when present, may then more effectively combine with the carboxyl radicals and form compounds in the nature of insoluble metallic salts. Since the molecular structures of the proteins, as built up in this way, are greater on account of these cumulative actions, the resulting salts are of greater molecular weight and hence more inert and more solid than can be acquired by reactions to form those of less molecular weight, and they are in fact physically much flrmer. This is an effect greatly desired, and required by some, in the art of embalming.

In an embalming fluid having a composition typical of the present invention, the several components may be varied considerably, to accomthe solution before andzinc" Per cent by weight A1(NOs):.9I-h0 8.33 110000111"; 20.0 CzHsOH(95%) 20.0 CHsCONH: .80 Water 50.87

This composition is especially effective for use as a cavity fluid and is not only free from the tendency to vaporize but also free from the toxic and irritating actions of formaldehyde. While active as a deodorant, it has no disagreeable odor of its own. It quickly penetrates the mucous membranes or linings and passes into and through the surrounding tissues and structures. and, after such penetration and dispersion is substantially complete, commences effectively to hydrolyze, liberating formic acid, alcohol, and formaldehyde, as indicated by the above equations-and thereupon exhibiting, in situ, as great a preservative and hardening action upon the proteins and tissues, moi for moi, as initially free formaldehyde is capable of doing. But this liberation of active reagents does not occur until the fluid has been applied and has penetrated into contact with the substances with which it reacts and ultimately converts in this manner.

In embalming fluids which are to be injected into the vascular or arterial system and which are referred to as "arterial fluids," as above pointed out, it is especially desirable that the astringent action of the solution shall not precede, and

hence interfere with or prevent, the complete and rapid penetration of the fluid through the ad- Jacent areas of the system. It is customary practice in compositions using free formaldehyde to add various organic or: inorganic salts which may actto stimulate the penetration of the fluids or to retard the action of the formaldehyde or both. For example, alkaline compounds such as borax, sodium borate, sodium nitrate. sodium sulphate. sodium citrate, sodium benzoate, salicylic acid. etc. may be so used. Such additions may be made to the compositions herein demodate different conditions and the particular scribed, though they are not necessary, since the formic acid esters herein employed are automatically regulated in their rate of action, al-

though they are quite as complete in their uitimate effect as formaldehyde alone. These reagents also have the effect of promoting the free and complete removal of the body fluids in advance of the penetration and subsequent replacement of them by the embalming fluid-into and through the tissues and areas oi the vascular system generally.

The higher alcohols, such as glyoerine, ethylene glycol and capryl alcohol, have a similar effect of retarding chemical reactivity while promoting physical penetration and dispersion, especially in arterial embalming fluids.

Typical compositions of embalming fluids. made in accordance with this invention and for use as arterial fluids, may be prepared as folows;

1. Methyl formate 30.0 by, comprising an aqueous solution of an alkyl Sodium borate 2.5 formate and a lower alcohol and which is capable Sodium nitrate 0.5 of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the Glycerol 10.0 reactive formyl radical when in contact with the Formamide 1.0 5 tissues and fluids of the body.

Water 56.0 6. An embalming fluid which is characterized by, comprising an aqueous solution of an alkyl Ffi$i formate, a lower alcohol, an acid amide and a Ethyl alcohol salt of a polyvalent metal and which is capable Sodium of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the G1 1 reactive formyl radical when in contact with the ycem tissues and fluids of the body.

3. Formaldehyde (as formalin) 20. 7. An arterial fluid embalming composition Methyl formate 15.0 which is characterized by comprising anaqueous A e ami e 1.6 15 solution of an alkyl formate, an alkaline salt, Sod um Citrate and one of the higher alcohols and which is ca- Glycerol 12.0 pable of subsequently reacting to form or liber- Water 41.0 ate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

E331 ii31133133311133i1:33:11: 2:3 An arterial fluid embalmieg composition Formaldehyde (as formalin) 301) which is characterized by comprising an aqueous Sodium borate solution of an alkyl formate, an alkaline salt, and Glycerol 121) a lower and a higher alcohol and which is capa- Acetamide 05 ble of subsequently reacting to form or liberate Water 301) the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

Methyl formate 9. An embalming fluid comprising an aqueous Salicylic acid solution of methyl formate and which is capable sodium bolate 15 of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the Sodium citrate 05 reactive forr'nyl radical when in contact with the Sodium benzoate tissues and fluids of the body.

Capryl alcohol 0.1

Water 53.9

The solutions as thus prepared constitute embalming fluids suitable for keeping until required, transporting and other necessary handling, in convenient form. To make ready for use, they are preferably diluted in the proportions of 6:1 or 7:1 with water, after thoroughly mixing the diluted solution, and applied by injection into the body cavities or into the arterial or vascular system. This may be done either during or shortly after the usual withdrawal of the body fluids. If introduced simultaneously with the' withdrawal of the body fluid, the composition of the present embalming fluid promotes the free and complete removal of such fluids. This promotes the subsequent effectiveness of the embalming fluid.

I claim:

1. An embalming fluid which is characterized by. comprising an aqueous solution of an alkyl formate and which is capable of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the reactive iormyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids oi the body.

2'.'An embalming fluid which is characterized by, comprising an aqueous solution of an alkyl 4. An embalming fluid which is characterized by, comprising an aqueous solution of an alkyl formate, an acid amide and a salt of polyvalent metal and which is capable oi. subsequently re- 'acting to form or liberate 'the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

5. An embalming fluid which is characterized g of an alkyl formate and a. higher alcohol, and

10. An embalming fluid comprising a solution of methyl formate in one of the lower alcohols and which is capable of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

11. An embalming fluid comprising a solution of methyl formate, a lower alcohol and water and which is capable of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

12. An embalming fluid comprising an aqueous solution of ethyl formate and which is-capable oi subsequently reacting to form or liberate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

13. An embalming fluid comprising a solution of ethyl formate in one of the lower alcohols and which is capable of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

14. An embalming fluid comprising a solution of ethyl formate, a lower alcohol, and, water and which is capable of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

15. An embalming fluid which is characterized by comprising an alcohol solution of an alkyl formate and which is capable of subsequently reacting to, form or liberate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

16. An arterial fluid embalming composition which is characterized by comprising a solution of an alkyl formate and an alkaline salt, and

contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

1'7. An arterial fluid embalming composition which is characterized by comprising a solution which is capable of subsequently reacting to form or liberate the reactive formyl radical when in contact with the tissues and fluids of the body.

LOUIS McDONALD. 

